Island



J. WATERFIELDl KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLscATloN min f|s.1.\s13. RENEwEn nec. s2, una.

Mfr/E55 E5 ,l

l. WMERFIELD.

KNITTING MACHINE.

MPLxcATmN min ri. r. |911 RENEWED DEC. 12.1918.

1,306,32 l. Patented June 1o, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mi www, versus cn Fnnmummwlsmmmw u c J. WAERFIELD.

K N ITTING MACHINE.

APPncmoN man fm1. :913. RENEWED Dec. 12. ma.

1 ,306 ,32 l Patented J une 10, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

M//T/JESSEE me wams uns cn Hom-urna msnmaron n c l. WATERFIELD.

KNITTING MACHNE.

APPLscmon min fin. r. |913. xznzwzn orc. l2. was.

Patented June 10, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

DEC.12.1918.

Patented June 10, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

J. WATERFIELD.

KNHTING MACHINE.

UNITED STATES LCE,

JOHN WATERFIELD, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASt?,[`(`r{\l')]3` BY MESNE ASSlGN- MENTS, To SHANNOCK NARROW FABRIC coi/imita', or Pew'rocx'r, Baronia istinti), A conromifrion or RHODE rsiaiim.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

#prima ile-1 eil-ww i, 1912, SE1-iai le! 746,528- ienifvesi www 12. w18- Seri-1.1i@ new.

To all 'whom z' may concern y Be it known that l, JQHN lllii'rnigriiino, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain neiv and iisefiil Improvements in Knittingl\,achiiics, of which the folloiviiigjs a specification, reference being had therein `to the :ii conipaiiying drawings.

My invention relates t0 the class of knitting niiicliiiies for the manufacture of tapes, braids and other flat fabrics, and consists of the novel construction and combination of the several parts and mechanical elements as hereinafter specified and described and as set forthin the claims.

My said improv d knitting inachinleI is characterized `by t e combination of tivo straight rows of needles, arranged parallel to eachy other and capable of aliinited vertical movement and also a limited lateral movement, which inoveineiits are imparted by the needle-supporting means; oscillating mechanism for alternately carryin the threads from the front row of needles iagonally to the rear row of needles aid vice ven-ia to knit the same into a suitab e pattern or style, thread-feedy rollers; needlelatcli controlling devices useful in the forinatioii of the loops or stitches; together with mechanism for tightening all the loops or stitches of each transmise row seriez/im immediately after the formation thereof.

My said iiiacliine can make a plurality of mp6s, braids 0r pilier febrs, at the .Seme tii` e, instead of on] one at a tiniefas imprevious machines of t, is class. l

In the accompanying drawings like reference numer, 1s indicate like parts in all the figiires tliereol.

Figure 1 l is a, front elevation of my iiiiproved knitting machine, which isshoivn as making .ten Steps ,at bep@ ,at the saine time i Fig. 2 shows the right-hand Side Qt the iiiachine in` elevation. l

Fs- 3 iS a t0n Plan view, Qn 1111,@ w of F ig. 1, showing the stitch-tightening; device, the frontcam-shaft Ywith acani thereon to operate the Said device, and also means for rotatingthe take-np rolls.

Fig. 4- is a view, on an enlarged scale, as seen iii `part en line fu ii of `Fig. 3,'of the two tak .-1,1 ,l rolls fiid eais fo rotat g t e ed, .ist ,i1-ivf is 'simi-teilw@ @it vices ofmy said invention.

Fig 5 is a top lan vieiv, on line fu. u ot Fig. ll, shoiviijigy rc 4front cam-shaft and means ci rot tiiiigg,lr the saine, thehelt-shippiiig apparait iis ilieiga (ning te said stop-motion, t "e rear cani-s ia v t land 'ineens of rotating t e saine, thevc-aine` the rear cani-s iat giving reciprocating inovenieiit to the needlebalrs, and also nieais inter-'mediate the front carin-Spat and stitch-,tightein g device for opera 111g the latten,I frein p'iincr. A

`Filg1 is a tol? lan view, as seen on line L f oi' Fig. l, of he take-lip rolls and 'the 'illiiifiiil ser. fel spiel?.- tli thii- .lfie' i new@ si efe @weit 0n an enlarged scale ofthe rgpt ca jslharftand its cam for tliever ical reciprocajmg movement @t the -Iieeilleflitiiis-beii leitet t e wir eiiieliefieiidi its am tof theme@ Pipi@- iigiei t ivhizh operates the tiread-cariiers,

iig. jis Ka view, partly in topip an and partlyin section on Rline .s .s of sli ivlls the tWQ ,eifel-ldneedle-plates and' l1@ intermediate Aape#sptes, and the needles in position, and1 the Jcovering strips for the needle-hubs.

Fig. 9 is a view, in front elevation of the needle-bar and front n'eedle-liftiii har, and the needles in position tlierep 1 aiidgthe pushrods for reciliirocating` sai bars, respectively, and includes other details of theconstruction, as hereinafter described This figure is drawn partly in` elevation and partly in section on line i" 7' of Fig. 16.

Fig, 10 is a plan` vieilvr of the needle-bal' and the feed-space therein for the passage of the tape to the reel or take-up roll and exhibits the knocking-over bitsfor clearing the loops or stitches from the needles.

Fig. 11 is a. view of the Sameas seen on Section line-f1 fr Qtls 10 lis- 12 iS. uplan View ,0f the needle-guards to liolgd tie needle-hubs in relative positions.

Fg- 1i iavsvi Qi the Sain@ as Seen 0,11 line p p of Fig. 12. f

Fig. llt is aside elevationgf the covering- Stln t0 .Cimiie `the needle-.hubs in iiQtfm, Upon the needle-lifting liar.

Fig. liis a View of the Same Reseau 0n line an Qf Fgle.

Fig. 16 is a View in cross section, as seen on -line vie-n. of Fig. 9, showing the needleplales and the tape-space therein, the knockover bits, needles and needle-hubs, the necdle-lifting bars and the cap-plate upon the needle-bars. In this figure the needles (represented by dotted lines) are seen in their highest position.

Fig. 1T is the same as Fi 16, except that the needles are shown in t eir lowest position.

Fig. 18 is a. view, in side elevation, of one pair of thread carriers in their central position and in relation to the needles, each of which needles by its hook has engaged one of the threads.

Fig. 19 is a similar view, but shows the thread-carriers in their open position. This fiiine also illustrates the needles in their highest position (with the needle-latches open and prevented from accidental closing), the needle-bars in their elevated osition, the stitch-tightening device in its tightening position and the finished tape passing L down through the tape-space between the needle-plates to the reel or take-up drum below, which reel, however, is not shown in this figure.

Fig. 20 is similar to Fig. 18, but represents the central position of the threadcarriers in their return movement.

Fig. 21 is similar to that portion of Fig. 19, which exhibits the position of the threadcarriers, and shows how the thread-carriers have changed places, the rear thread-carrier having come to the front and the front thread-carrier having gone to the rear.

Figs. 22 to 39, both inclusive, illustrate the respective positions of the needles and thread-carriers and the consecutive formations of the stitches, and also the periodical positions of the thread-carriers and of the needle-hooks and needle-latches in the progress of the knitting operation.

Fig. 40 is a diagrammatic view to show the relative location of the needles with respect to one another.

Fig. 41 is a diagrammatic view to illustrate the consecutive movements of a threadcarrier in respect to the needles served thereb F ig. i2 is a diagrammatic view to illustrate the laying of the loops upon the needles, which results from the thread-carrier movements illustrated in Fig. 41.

Fig. 43 is a diagrammatic view on a greatly enlarged scale, showing the direction and position of the threads and loops interlaced, which'constitute the knitted fabric made by this machine.

In the drawings, 1 represents a bench or table provided wlth standards 2. A shaft 3 is mounted in bearings4 on the cross-bars 5, extending between standards The shaft 3 has two xed pulleys 6 and 7. A belt 8 operates the pulley (i and derives motion and power from a niain shaft of an engine or other prinul niolor (not shown).

A fixed shaft il is supported on brackets l() with a reel or take-up drum l1V mounted to rotate thereon while being held against longitudinal displacement at one end by a collar 12 fastened to the shaft by a set screw 13. Mounted on the right-ham] end of the hub of the reel 11 is a ratchet-wheel il, and at the side of the wheel is a rm'ker-arin 15 pivoted to oscillate on the shaft 9. The rocker-arm 15 has a relatively longl hub, one end of which ahuts the right-hand bearing for the shaft 9 whereby to hold the parts in place on .the shaft with the reel. l1 bearing against the collar 12. The inner end of the rocker arm 15 is norn'mlly held in a depressed position by a coil-spring 16, the upper end of which is fastened to an eye on the lower edge of said arm, while its lower end is secured to an eye on the cross-bar 5.

The outer end of the rocker-arm supports a pawl 17, loosely pivoted thereon, and the free end of this pawl is engageabl with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 1x1. The inner end of the rocker-arm 15 is periodically lifted by the rod 18, which is operated as hereinaftt-ir explained.

The bed plate 19 is supported by standards 20, 21, providcdwith anges 22 and fastened to the bench 1 by bolts 23.

Two cam-shafts 24 and 25, are mounted, respectively, in the standards 20, 21, of the bed-plate 19. At the right-hand end of the cam-shaft 24 two pulleys 26 and 27 are mounted, th@l pulley 26 being fast on the cam-shaft 24 and the pulley 2T being loose thereon. A belt 29 from the pulley T operates the fixed pulley 26 of the cam-shaft 24 or the loose pulley y27 of said cani-shaft, as hereinafter explained. A gear 29 is fastened on the cam-shaft 24.

The cam-shaft 25, mounted in the standards 20. 21, derives motion by means of a. gear 30, meshing with the gear 29. -The gear 30 has twice as many teeth as the gear 29, so that the gear 29 and its cani-shaft 24 complete two revolutions while the gear 30 and its cani-shaft 25 coni plete one revolution. There are two cams 31 and 32 fastened on the cam-shaft 24, and they give a vertical reciprocating movement to the needle-lifting bars, as hereinafter explained. A shoe or flanged block 33 rides upon the cam 31 and a similar shoe or block 34 rides upon the cam 32. A push-rod 35 extends up from the shoe 33 and a push-rod36 extends up from the shoe 34. These calns are so timed that the push-rods 35 and 36 move simulta- CIY tending' from said arm, engages an eye or loop at the upper end of the rod 18, and said rod is pivotally connected at its lower end with the rocker-arm (see Figs. 1, and 7).

The cam-shaft 24 also carries another cam 38 fixed thereon for operating the stitchtightening mechanism, as hereinafter described.

The rear cam-shaft carries two cams 39 and 40, fastened by collars and set screws, respectively. The cam 39 is shown most plainly in Fig. 7 and bears against a shoe or flanged block 41. A push-rod 42, slightly curved as seen in Fig. 7, extends loosely through an opening in the bed-plate 19 and operates the thread-carriers. This pushrod 42 and the mechanism for operatin the thread carriers are shown on the right iand end of the machine in Figs. 2 and 7. It is to be understood, however, that another thread-carrier mechanism (not shown), exactly similar, is upon the left-hand side of the machine operated by the push-rod 43, shown` in F ig. 1, extending from the shoe or flanged block 44, which rides upon the cam 40. This cam 4() with its accompanying shoe or flanged block 44 coperates with the cam 39 and its shoe 41, Iand gives to its push rod 43 a reciprocating vertical movement precisely likel that given to the push-rod 42 and in unison therewith, as hereinafter explained, to actuate the tluead-carricrs.

The rear cam-shaft 25 also has a cam 45 at its left-hand end and fastened thereon. This cam 45 serves to give a horizontal reciprocating movement to the needle-bar, as hereinafter explained. A bracket 46 extends up from the bed-plate 19 and has a bearing in which a rockerbar 47 is pivotally mounted. This rocker-bar has its lower end forked or bifurcated to extend loosely over the rim of the cam 45, as shown in Fig. 1. Screws 48, 48, in the bifurcation of/the rocker-bar 47, lightly contact with the sides of the cam 4.5 at and near the peripheral rim thereof. The oscillation of the rocker-bar 47 caused `by the rotation of the cam 45, gives said movement to the needle bar.

A stitch-tightening device is operated by the cam 38 on the front cam-shaft 24 (Fig. 4). The cam 38 gives a reciprocating movement to the shoe or flanged block 49, and this movement is communicated to the rockerarm 51 by the bent rod 50, fastened to the inner end of said shoe, said rocker-arm being pivotally mounted on the rod 52, and the latter being mounted parallel to the camvshaft 24 in the standards 20, 21, of the bedplate 19. Thebent rod 59 and the rocken arml`351 are pivotally connected as shown at 5 Just below the opening 54 in the bedplate `19, where the i knit fabric passes through, thereyare two parallel fixed rods 55 and 561 mounted in said standards 20, 21, and a pulling rod 57 is movable back and forth betweensaid rods 55 and 56, said pulling rod 57 being parallel to the rods 55, 56.

i `This pulling rod 57 has two "ends 58, 59, bent `at right angles therefrom, and these ends are mounted loosely on the upper end of the rocking-arm 51 by pivots 60, 60.

Tw-o pulleys 61, 62, are loosely mounted on the rod 52. A band 63 is driven by a pulle 64, fastened on the front cam-shaft 24 (iig. 5), and passes partially around the two pulleys 61, 62 (Fig. 3), and thence around the lower half of the pulley 65 (Fig. 4). The knit fabric, is indicated in Fig. 4 by a heavy dotted line, which shows said fabric passing down through the aperture 54 in the bed-plate 19, thence ovel` the front of the rod 55, thence over the rear of the rod 57, thence over the front of the rod 56, thence front of and under a` friction take-u p roll 6G, thence up and over a` friction takcup roll 67, and thence to the take-up reel 11 (Figs. 1, and 2), on which reel the iinished product of the machine is wound.

These two friction take-up rolls 66 and 67 are mounted rotatably beneath the bedplate 19 in a rectan ular frame 68, shown in Figs. 1 and 6. he peripheral surfaces of the two rolls 66 and 67 are roughened, as seen in Fig. 6, to increase their frictional hold upon the tapes or other knit fabrics, which pass between them.

The pulley 65 is fastened on the shaft `69, which is mounted rotatably in bearings 70, 71. Theshaft 69 has a Worm 72, which meshes with a worm gear 73, the latter being fastened upon the right-hand hub of the rear friction take-up roll 67. This roll 67 has on its opposite end a gear 74 (Fig. 6), which meshes with a gear 75 upon the adjacent end of the roll 66. As the gears 74 and 75 are alike, the rolls 66 and 67 revolve in equal times and draw the nished tape or fabric downward, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

The needles and means for giving to them the requisite vertical and horizontal reciprocating movements are described as follows:

The needles are of the kind commonly used in knitting machines and are illustrated in Figs. 16 to 21, both inclusive, and also in Figs. 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39. Each needle has a stem 76, a hook 77 and a pivoted latch 078. On each stem 76 there is a needle hub79.

The oscillation of the rocker-bar 47 causes a horizontal reciprocating movement of the needle bar 80. This needle-bar 80 is supported in a vertical position in slots in two standards 81, 81a. The standards 81, 81, are mounted on the bed-plate 19 and are secured in place by bolts 82, which pass through Hanges 83 into said bed-plate.

The needle-bar 80 has a central longitudinal opening or tape-s ace 84 formed between two parallel need e-plates 85, 85. On each outer surface of the needle-plates 8.5, 85, is a comb 86, or sei-ies of parallel projections with intervening slots, as best represented in Fig. 10. The stems 76 of the needles pass freely into these slots and are supported from lateral displacement by the projections of the comb 86, as illustrated in Figs. 16 to 21, both inclusive.

There are two parallel needle-lifting-liars 87, 87, supported on the two push-rods 35 and 36. The push-rods at their upper ends enter bearings 88 in brackets 89, which project from the front needle-lifting-bar and are held in posit-ion by set screws 90. The lifting-bars 87, 87, have projecting plates 87 at their ends which slide upon the needlebars 80. The needle-lifting bars 87 87, are connected by screws and move together (sec Fi s. 16 and 17).

hns the needle-bar 80 has a periodical reciprocating horizontal movement, which carries the needle-plates 85 with the needles mounted thereon, and the needle-lifting-bars 87 have also a periodical reciprocating vertical movement, which causes the needles to rise and descend. The extent of this vertical reciprocating movement is illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17, and the extent of the horizontal movement is limited by the throw of the rocker-bar 47, which preferably is to a distance equal to that embracing any two adjacent needles. A cord 91 extends between supports 92, 92, and serves as latchcontrolling means, as hereinafter described.

The hubs 79 of the needles rest u on the top of the companion needle-lifting ars 87, respectively, on the front and back of the machine, as seen in Figs. 16 and 17 and on a larger scale in Fig. 19. Against the outer end of the needle-hubs is laid a comb-bar 93, and upon said comb-bar and needle-hubs is laid a covering strip 94, having bent ends and separately shown in Fig. 14. Over the strip 94 and needle-lifting bar 87 and over the edge of the comb 93, is a cap-piece 95, secured by screws 96 to the needle-lifting bar 87, thus confining all said parts and the needle-hubs in proper relation to the needles. A needle-guard 97 prevents the needles from any displacement in their vertical travel.

The threads or yarns are moved from one position to another and properly presented to the needles by means of thread-carriers, whose construction and actuating mechanism are described as follows:

The push-rod 42 operates two sets of thread-carriers, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The standards 81 and 81a are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7. The bentJ push-rod 42 extends up loosely through an aperture in a bracketv 100 on the standard 81, which bracket serves as a guide and support therefor', and this rod at its upperend enters a block 101, provided with ear-pieces, in which the said end of the rod 42 is adjustably mounted. Two cross-bars 102, 103, are eentrally mounted on a rod 104 for a pivot. Two link-bars 105, 106, are loosely mounted at their lower ends on the block 101 by a pivot 107, and said link-bars 105 and 106 are loosely connected with the lower ends of the cross-bars 102, 103, by pivots 108 and 109, respectively.

At the upper ends of the cross-bars 102, 103, respectively, are ivotally mounted the two rods 110 and 111 Fig. 2), and upon the rods 110 and 111, the spreader-bars 115 and 116 of two thread-earners are mounted, respectively, as seen in Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21. These thread-carriers are centrally mounted on the pivot-rod 104.

The link-bars 105, 106 are also centrally mounted on the pivot-rod 104, and they together with the cross-bars 102, 103, constitute lazy tongs, which open and close alternately as the push-rod 42 rises and descends.

There are two parallel upright posts 112 and 113, which are secured in socket-pieces 165 at the lower ends upon the bed-plate 19, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

It is to be understood, as already stated, that the push-rod 43 on the left-hand end of the machine operates a similar set of lazy tongs, but said set is not shown in the drawings.

These two sets of lazy tongs spread and close alternately the series of thread-carriers, but they are not shown in Fig. 1 because they are directly behind the posts 112 and 113, and cannot be seen in a front elevation of the machine, as there represented.

The thread-carriers and their consecutive positions are exhibited in Figs. 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, a7, 30, 33, 3c and 39.

Each thread-carrier 114 (or 1141) has the obtuse-angled shape illustrated in Figs. 18 to 21, inclusive, and they are arranged in pairs. They `are disposed in two sets in parallel rows, one set designated 114 in the drawings, having their upper ends projecting toward the front of the machine and the other set designated as 114EL in the drawings having their upper ends extending toward the rear of the machine. The thread-carriers 114, 114, are mounted near their centers upon the pivot rod 104 and oscillate thereon. The front set of thread-carriers 114, whose upper ends project in front, are connected at said ends by a spreader-bar 115, whose function is to spread the threads or yarns. In

like manner, the rear set of thread carriers 114% whose upper ends project toward the rear, are connected at said ends by another spreader-bar 116, of similar construction as the spreader-bar 115, and serving a like purpose. Each of these spreader-bars 115, 116, has an integral rib 117, or 118, which extends into and fits snpgly in slots in the upper ends of said thread-carriers, respectively, and holds them together. The outer longitudinal edge of each spreader-bar is curved or rounded, as shown, to .enable the threads to pass smoothly over said edge. Each threadcarrier has in its lower end au eye 119 for theloose passage of a thread therethrough. In Figs. 18 to 21,in`clusive, the threads are shown by a thin Ydotted line, and the knit fabric is shown heavy dotted line. In Figs. 24, 27, 30', 33 and 36, the threads are shown in solid lines.

The thread-carriers 114, 1111, oscillate between and are ,supported laterally by slays or reeds 188, as ,represented in Figs. 18 to 21,

inclusive. A

At the top of said posts 112, 113, are brackets 169, which extend from collars 170, secured to `the posts by set screws 171. A selvage spool or roll 172 is mounted rotatably on a rod 173 which extends between the brackets 169, 169. On the rod 173 is a collar secured thereon a set screw. The right-hand end of the selvage spool 172 abuts said collar, and a spiral spring, bearing against the collar on the left-hand post 112,presses` against thefleft-hand end of the selvage spool 172 and holds the same from longitudinal displacement. "woother brackets'176, 17 6, extend from co1`1as177, whi'clrare secured by set screws 178,'ft`cfthey posts 112, 113, respectively. 1"bd}`179.Y is supported at its ends in the brackm ,ets,-176176, The main roll or beam 180 is i loosely mounted on the rod 179 and is held fromlongitudinal displacement by a spiral spring, as shown in Fig. 1.

Two other brackets 181, 181, extend from the collars 182, which are secure-d to the 40 posts 112, 113, by set screws 183. These brackets support two rods 184, 185, whlch are parallel with each other, and whose upper and lower endsare bent at vright angles, `and these bent ends` support two sets of combs 186, 186, respectively.

Thesebrackets 181,181, also support a rod 188. A friction roller 187 is loosely mounted on the rod 188. A space is provided at.Y the left-hand end ofthe 110.11187 by1i-anges within which space `a friction strap 189 passes, whose two endsaresegared to spiral springs, fastened i at their lowerends to the` needle-lifting devices to producathe vrequisite friction. The strap 189 may'hafve-a lonY gitudinal series of holes therein to vary the tension of the springs. i

Two other brackets 190, 190,1aremounted on collars 191 which are secured to the posts 112, 113, by set screws 192. A spreaderbar 193 is supported on a rod 194, mounted in the brackets 190. L

On the selvage-.roll 172 a plurality of sel-` vage-threadsol 'are wound, which, as repreA lsented `in Fig..2, pass, some to the front` 55 of the spreader-bar 193 (Figs. 2 and 19),

, bar 87, or other suitable supp and some to the rear of said spreader-bar, and thence are conducted to the selvage needles, hereinafter named.

The main-roller 18() has a plurality of threads Wound thereon, designated by the reference letters c c', which pass loosely through the comb-bar 186, thence around. the friction-roller 187, thence through the comb-bar 186, thence, some of them (marked c) through the slots of the 76 spreader-bar 193 on the fromL thereof, and some of them (marked e) through the slots of the spreader-bar (193) on the back thereof (See Figxf19). The threads c, e', cross each? other, as seen in Fig. 19, beneath 80 the rod 194. The threads c, c', then cross each other beneath the rod 195, and "the thread @goes over the rounded edge of the strip 115 of the tlnead-carricr 114, and the thread c goes over the rounded edge of the stri 116 of the thread-carrier 1112 The thread c then goes through the eye 119 of the thread-carrier 111 to the needles, and the thread o goes through the eye 119 of the thread-carrier 114 to the needles, all 90 as shown in Fig. 19. In the position of the thread-carriers exhibited in Fig. 21, it is seen that the thread c crosses the thread c', and in the saine manner, as seen in Figs. 33 and 36 the threads c and c so 95 cross each other.

In Fig. 40 is illustrated diagrammatically the relative positions of the needles a and l). It is seen that by the arrangement there is one single needle at one end of the back row and one needle at the opposite end of the back row. These end needles are denominated the selvage needles. In Fig. 4U the needles of the back row are designated as M and the neetles of the front row as N. The. needles are disposed as interjacent. with the needles M of the next row above.

Having thus described the several parts of my improved knitting machine, I will now explain its operation.

The threads freni the main roller 180 are each woundfonce yaround the friction roller 187. This is provided with a soft coveriri, such as flannel, wound around it, or

vlith some other suitable material adapted for the purpose, and this increases the fric" tioin and draws the threads tightly.` which pass from the main roller 180 to the needles. In order to increase this friction to a greater degree, the friction strap 189 is used,` shown in Fig. 1. Two spiral springs exten@ the two `ends of this strap and are" the front one to the bracket 132 and the rear one tothe rear needle-li ort. spiral springs (one of which Fig. 1) have each a hook at it and each hook is engageable wi of the adjacent holes in the ls vary the tension of said strap. These springs draw the strap 189 forcibly down upon the spool or channel of thefriction roller 187 and retards its rotation, so that it turns only when the downward pull of the needles in the knitting operation actuate said roller to deliver the thread therefrom.

The threads, before reaching the needles, are moved and properly presented thereto by the series of thread-carriers 114, 1146, which are arrimged in pairs, as shown in Figs. 18 to 21,inclusive, one thread carrier for each thread. In the drawings, Fig. 18 represents the l'irst position, "Fig, 19 the second, Fig. 2() the third and Fig. 21 the fourth. The travel of one pair of thc tluead-earriers is diagrammatically represented in plan view in Fig. 41 where z' indi.- cates a movement of the thread-carrier to the right; it' a movement to the front; a movement to the left; it' a movement to` ward the rear; `u a movement to the left; ri a movement to the rear, and @'zzi a movement toward the front. The two inclosed ovals indicate the positions of the needles, around which the thread-carrier make this travel.

In Fig. 42 is a diagrammatic representation of the stitches or loops of thread so laid by the thread-carriers around these needles, the arrows in said -figure denoting the course of the thread. In the center these threads have a closed loop made by the knitting mechanism as shown in Fig. 42. This closed loop is formed at the central position where the converging thread-carrier movements viii, i, approach nearest the converging thread-carrier movements er t'.

,In Fig. 18 the two thread-carriers 114, 114, meet at their lower ends and this is the central point in their oscillatory motion; in Fig.' 19 the lower end of the thread-carrier 114 moves to the front and the lower end of the thread-carrier 114 moves to the rear; in Fig. 20 the thread-carriers 114, 114a return to their closed or central position the same as in Fig. 18; and in Fig. 21 the lower end of the thread-carrier 114 moves to the rear and the lower end of the thread-carrier 114*L moves to the front.

There are two sets of reeds 168 and each thread-carrier 114, 114, oscillatesI between the opposite companion reeds, as illustrated in Figs. 18, 19, 2() and 21, respectively. The threads passing smoothly over the rounded edge of the spreader-bars 115, 11G extend to and through the eyes 119 of the lower ends of the thread-carriers 114, 114, respectively to the needles.

The needle-movel'nents will now be described in general terms.

There are two kindsof needle-movements, one is an alternate upward and downward movement in a vertical plane, and the other is an alternate horizontal movement in said pla-ne. i i i The vertical reciprocating movement of the needles is accomplished by the following means:

` The front cam-shaft 24, in rotating by the power communicated by the fast pulley 26, turns with it the cams 31 and 32, which impart a reciprocating movement to the shoes 33, The push-rods 35, 36, which extend up from said shoes 33, 34, are connected at their upper ends Fig. 9) with the needlelifting-bars 87'. hus the needles have a regular reciprocating vertical movement by reason of the mounting of the hubs of the needles 7G on the needle-lifting bar 87, held in osition by the comb 93, covering strip 94 am cap-piece 95, as represented in Figs. 16 and 24, where it is seen that there are two connected needle-lifting bars 87 and their accessories, one for the front and one for the back of the machine.

The horizontal reciprocation of the needle-bar 80 and of the needle-lifting bars 8T therewith is caused by the cam 45 on the left-hand end of the rear cam-shaft 25, as shown in Fig. 5. This cam-shaft gives a movement to the rocker-bar 47, which is pivotally mounted `on lthe bracket 46, and this rocking movement is communicated tothe needle-bar 80, back and forth, in each rotationof the Cam shaft 25. The length of each horizdntal reeiprocation is equal to the distance embracing two ofthe needles 76. The relative positions of the needles' to the tln-ead-carriers 'in the progress of the knitting stitches is shown in Figs. 25 to 28, both inclusive, but will be more fully described in consecutive order in the discussion of Fi gs. 22 to 39, both inclusive.

As the threads are knitted into the fabric, the said fabric represented in 1 and EZ, and especially in Figs. 18 to 39, inclusive, passes from the needles down between the two needle plates 85, 85, throu hthe tapespaee 84. and is subjected to the stitch-tightening mechahism, asshown in Figs. 4 and 19 and presently described, and are wound upon the take-u rel or drum 11. "f"

Thekind of abric made by this'machine cannot be made's'uiiiciently close and firmon a knitting machine (for the first or`ibest quality of goods) without the use of a suitab e stitch-tightening device.

` n my said machine, there is provided a stitch-tightening mechanism, whieh draws each row of stitches as they are formed and are leaving the needles, by taking up the slack of the threads.

' By a combination of cam-movements the loops or stitches are closedto any' degree required. after leaving theneedles, and thus the fabric can be made much tighter than has been hitherto possible-in machines of i threads as the needle bar descends.

this class..,0n ,each `mtation of the front cam-shaft 24, the rod 57 is pulled toward the .rear of theunachine, and the thread whichpasses, as indicated in Fig. 4c, in front of thetW-o fixed rods and 5G isdrawn slightly toward the rear by the rod 57, opeiatcd` by the rocker-arm 51 and the cam 38, as already described, Thus all the stitches are drawn closely together and compacted, and consequently make arm fabric.

The threads. or yarns are fed tothe needles by thread-carriers 144,114?. The `needles descend; and the rod, 57 moves forward, (toward the operator), thus releasing the tension on the fabric and causing the stitches to hang` loose as fthe needles begin to form new loops. The friction strap, which is fastened to the bracket 132, as shown in Fig. 1, gets tighter as the needles descend, putting more and more tension on the yarn or As the new loops are formed and the old loo-ps are leaving' the needles (the tension on the yarn being tight and the old loops loose), the needles draw on the line `of least resistance and draw all the slack out of the loops which are leaving the needles, before drawing on the yarn which is under tension on the main roller 180. Then, as the needles move to the bottom and new loops are formed, and the .A needles begin to rise, the rod 57 moves backward again and puts tensionon the fabric.

As the needles rise for the next stitch, the friction strap 189, being connected to the bracket 132, is eased off and allows the needles to rise, thus forming a compact fabric and allowing the thread-carriers 114i` 114A. to perform the necessary movements without excessive strain on the threads or yarns.

It is of great importance that the tension of the yarns or threads which pass from the main roller 180 to the needles should be equalized and made constant. For this purpose, the friction roller 187 is used. This gives a complete control of the tension on the threads or yarns. These, after leaving the main roller 180, are wound once around the friction roller 187. The fact that the main roller 18-0is full, or partially full, or

nearly empty, makes nodifference to this tension. Without this device, the tension would vary greatly and continually. The

tension would increase more and more from ric would be made closer, until eventually the threads or yarns would breakfrom too much tension. In my device, this tension is always the same, because the friction roller 187 has only one winding of each thread or yarn thereon, and the diameter is always the same. Thus, the threads or yarns are delivered therefrom to the needles under a constant tension,

As the needles rise, the rod 57 takes up `(he fabric. If `the fabric were not so held, the needles would pull it up. the needles descend, the rod 57 moves forward and releases the fabric. At that time the friction strap 189 begins to tighten up.

By means of the holes through thc strap 139, the spiral springs may be adjustably hooked in said holes to increase or diminish the friction on the roller 187, as may be desired, to vary the tension on the yarns or threads.

In Figs. 22 to 39, inclusive, are shown the several consecutive movements of the thread-carriers and needles, also a view of the stitch-formations. In these representations it is to be understood that Figs. 22, 23 and 24, together, show the lirst movement', Figs. 25, 2G and 27, the second; Figs. 28, 2S) and 30, the third; Figs. 31. 32 and 33 the fourth; Figs. 34, 35 and 36, the fifth: and Figs. 37, 38 and 39 the sixth.

In this series of figures il B and C, represent three thread-carriers and a. and the two needles of a pair or set, to which said threadcarriers conduct the threads according to the pattern.

In Fig. '22 the needles a and Z) are located to the right of the thread-carriers B and C, respectively; in Fig. 25 the needles (l and are in position to the right of the thread-carriers A and B, respectively; in Fig. .28 the needles o and b are in position to the left of the thread-*carriers A and B, respectively; in Fig. 31 the needles a and Z1 are in position to the left of the thread-carriers A and B, respectively; in Fig. 34 the needles a and Z) are in position to the right of the thread carriers A and B, respectively; and in Fig. 37 the needles al and b are in position to the right of the thread-carriers B and C,

In Fig. 22 the needles (l. and b are in their highest position; in Fig. 25 they are ihalfway down; in Fig. 28 they are at their lowest position; in Fig. 31 they are at their highestL position; in Fig. 34, they are halfway down and in Fig. 37 they are in their lowest position.

The positions of the needles are the same, respectively, in Figs. 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 as in Figs. 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 and 37 above described, and in Figs. 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and|` 39 the positions of the needle-latches are also shown, being open in Figs. 24 and 33 and closed in Figs. 27, 30, 36 and 39.

Comparing Figs. 24, 27, 30, 33, '36 and 39 with Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21 it Will be found that Fig. '24 corresponds to Fig.` 19; Fig. 30 with Fig.-18; Fig.-i33 with Fig. 21 and Fig. 39 with Fig. 20.

From the positions ofthe several parts shown in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, the needles a and b begin to move downward to the position shown in Figs. 25, 26 and 27, and at the same time the thread-carriers change from their wide-open position seen in Fig. 24 to their halt-open position seen in Fig. 27, but the needle-hooks have not engaged the threads.

In the position of the parts illustrated in Figs. 25, 2G and 27, the needles a and have moved to the left and half-way downward and the needle-hooks have engaged the threads and the needle-latches have closed to the hooks. The thread-carriers have also closed half-way.

In the position oi4l the parts illustrated in Figs. 2S, 29 and 30, the needles have conipleted their downward movement and then have moved horizontally to the left and are ready for their return movement upward. The needle-hooks are still engaging the threads and the needle-latches are still closed to the needle hooks. The thread-carriers are in their closed position.

In the position of the parts illustrated in Figs. 31. 32, and 33, the needles have risen to the highest place again and are ready to begin their horizontal movement to the right. The Vthread-carriers have come to their open position opposite to that which they had in Fig. 24, as will-be seen by the crossing of the threads in Fig. 33, which threads in Fig. 24 are notl crossed. The needle hooks are disengaged from the threads and the needle latches are open.

In the position of the parts illustrated in Figs. 3%, 35 and 36 the needles have moved downward half-way and have made their horizontal movement to the right. The needle-hooks have engaged the threads and the needle-latches have closed the needlehooks. The thread carriers have closed halt-way, the threads still being crossed.

In the Iposition of the parts illustrated in Figs. 3T, 38 and 39 theneedles have oompleted their downward movement and their horizontal movement to the right, the thread-carriers have closed, the needle-hooks still engage the threads and the needlelatches stillare closed to the needle-hooks.

The next position Will be that shown in Figs. 22, and 24.

The stitches `and movements as represented in Figs. 23, 2G, 29, 32, 35 and 38 are exhibited in top plan view.

In the knitting process the needle-latches are closed by the descent ofthe needle-stem through the thread-loop which has just been laid on the needle bythe thread-carriers, and when the loop has been knit into theA fabric and the needle has-been freed therefrom, the rise of the needle causes the threads from the thread-carriers to engage the needlelatch and move it downward into its open position as seen in Figs. 24 and" 33.

The oscillating movement of thethreadcarriers is caused by the cam 39 on the rear cam-shaft 25, which cam operating the cam shoe 41 causes the push-rod 42 alternately to move up and down. In moving up this push-rod opens the lazy tongs (made up of the pivotally connected bars 102, 103, 105, 106,), thus opening the spreader-bars 115, 11G, to their widest extent, but in moving down the push-rod 42 closes the lazy tongs. As already stated, it is to be remembered that a similar lazy tongs and cam-operated push-rod on the left-hand side of the machine, cooperate with the above-described apparatus on the right-hand side of the machine to oscillate the thread-carriers specified.

rlhese thread-carriers pass `between contiguous reeds of the slay 168 and are contined thereby to one line of oscillation.

The periodieal rise and descent of the ntaalles are raused by the cams 31 and 32 ot the Jront cam-shaft 24, which give a vertical reciprocating movement by means o'f the cani-shoes 33 and on said rams, respectively, and this movement is communicated by the push-rods 35 and 3G to the needle-lifting bars 87, 8T. The hubs 70 of the needle-shaft 76 rest upon the needle-lifting hars' 8T, 87 and 4are held thereto by the womb-bars 93 and covering strips 94. Thus, the needles rise and fall periodically to the extent illustrated in Figs. 1G and` 17, 'which show them and their associated parts, respectively, in their highest and lowest positions.

rlhe needlesderive a periodical reciprof-ating movement in a horizontal direction hy means of the ram 45 on the rear ramshait 25, which by pressure within the bifurcation of the bottom of the rocker-arm t7 gives an alternate movement, baeli and forth, horizontally to the needle-bar 80. This needle-har has needle-plates 85, whereiny theneedlcs are supported vertically by the combs 86,' 86. The strip or rod 97 also serves to confine the needle-stems in place, engaging said comb. The cord 91 has its function in preventing the needle-latches 79 from flying into an accidental. closure to the needle-hooks, when they are not otherwise held in proper and timely relation.

It has been stated that the front eamshaft 24 rotates twice while the rear: camshaft 25, geared thereto, rotates but once. Tt is also apparent, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 5, that said cam-shafts revolve in opposite directions. The result is that when thi-` eani 39 is in the position shown in Fig. 7 theI thread-carriers are in the position shown in Fig. 18 and when the lift 99 of the cam 39 has traveled 180 from the position shown in Fig. 7, the thread-carriers are in the position shown in Fig. 21. When the lift 99 oi the cam 39 is midway said two positions it is traveling on the concentric portion of saitl cam, and at that time the thread-carriers dwell or remain temporarily stillv as illustrated in Figs. 18 and Q0.

The stitch-tightening mechanism is operated from the front cam-shaft 24 by the cani 38, which imparts a reciprocating movement to the cam-shoe 4-9. This motion is communicated by the curved rod 5() from the cam-shoe 49 to the rocker-arm 51. The rocker-arm gives reciprocating movement to the pulling-rod 57, Which draws the knitted fabric (represented by a dotted tline in Figs. 11 and 26) between the fixed rolls 55 andi 56.

This stitch-tightening device cooperates with the friction take-up rolls 66, (S7. A pulley G4- on the front cam-shaft 21 causes a band (shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5) to travel from the pulley 61 and the loose or idle pulleys (31. 62, to the pulley G5. The pulley G5, being tight on the shaft G9, rotates said shaft, which turns with it the worm TQ, to operate the worm-gear 73: The worm-gear 73, fast on the shaft on which the rear take-up roll G7 is secured, turns the roll G7, which by its gear 74, meshing with the gear 75, causes the front take-up roll G6 to rotate also. The knit fabric is drawn by the rolls G6, 69, and passes to the take-up rcel or drum 11.

The stitch-tightener operates after each row of stitches has been formed, and the rearward pull of the. rod 57 draws in the slack of the threads. while the parts shown in Fig. 19 are in the position there illustrated, the friction take-up rolls (i6, (i7, resisting any pull upward therefrom. The cam 3S on the cam-shaft 24 is so timed with relation to the cams 31 and 3:2 on said canishaft Q4, and also with the pulley Gion said shaft 24 and the pulley (i5 on the shaft 69, that the stitch is tightened when the needles are at their lowest position and disengaged from the threads, as represented in Fig. 19.

The lift 99 on the cam 39 gives the vertical reciprocating movement to the rod 42 to operate the lazy tongs, and so to cause the opening and closing of the spreaderbars 115, 116, and thread-carriers 1154', 114. This imparts a downward movement to the rod 49 when the cam is passing to its position shown in Fig. 7 and an upward movement while the lift 99 approaches and comes to a position 180O from that shown in said figure.

A variety of other stitches can be made by changing the movements and relations of thy needles with respect to' the oscillating thread-carriers andV thus the pattern of the knit fabric can be changed.

In every rotation 0f the front cam-shaft 24, the cam 33' gives a reciprocating movement to the cam-shoe 33 and so the arm 37 extending from said cam-shoe periodically gives a slight pull on the rod 1S, and the rocker-arm 15 is oscillated thereby and causes the pawl 17 to advance the rati-hetwhecl 14 and to give a correspomling partial rotation to the reel 1.1 for the purpose of winding thereon the finished fabric.

The lifts 99`ofthe cams 39 cause the alternate rise and fall of the rods 42 operating the lazy tongs. Therefore in each rotation of the rear cam-shaft 25, said rods move upwardly once and downwardly once, while by the proportionate gearing (29 and 39) the front cam-shaft 21 rotates twice and alternately raises and lowers the needlelifting-bar 87, 87, twice, as already eX- plained.` All the cams hercinbeore described must be accurately placed and timed in order to` accomplish a perfect operation of the machine. In Fig. 40 shown diagrammatically the arrangement ot the nredles for the manufacture of the improved knit fabric made upon my knitting machine hereinbefore described. If there are livrl needles employed, they are arranged in two parallel rows, one of which has three needles and the other of which has two needles, the two endl needles are the selvage-needles. so called because they knit the sclvage ot' the fabrics.

In Fig. 41' is shown in straight lilies the consecutive linear movements of the threadcarrier in relation to the two needles there represented, and in Fig. 42 is' shown the loops or stitches so laid upon these needles by said movements of the thread-carriers and the central location of the knitted knot which ties said loops together midway of r the needles.

In Fig. 43 the fabric, which is formed by my knitting machine is shown on a greatly enlarged scale. It is, however, to be understood that this figure is intended to illustrate the shapes and relative positions of the loops, and therefore every thread is' distinctly represented in a! loose interconnection, while in practice, however, all 'the threads, as soon as each transverse row has beenE termed are drawn compactly together by the stitch-tightening mechanism hereinbefore speeifiedto form a Hrm, elbse fabric.

The knitting machine as shown and described is adapted to make: simultaneously a plurality of fl'at tapes, braids or similar narrow fabrics, as shown in Fig. 1^, where each pair of parallel lines troni the bed-plate 19 tothe take-upreel or drum indicates a separate tape or braid. This same machine` however, by a substitution of other cams and some other parts than those described can be adapted for'the manufacture of tubular lat-,ings and other fabrics which have no selvages. Such substituted parts and the fabrics made by their use are reserved as subject matter for a future application, or for future applications for Letters Patent of the United States.

I claim as a novel and useful invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent :M

1. ln a knitting machine, the combination with a plurality of pivotally-mounted thread carriers situated in aXial alinernent and arranged in pairs, the thread-carriers of each pair being adapted to have a shearlike opening-and-closing movement, of means connecting each thread-carrier of a pair to all of the corresponding thread-cau riers of the other pairs, a plurality of knitting needles, a needle bar on which said needles are supported for vertical movement, a thread-roll adapted to deliver thread to all of said thread-carriers, respectively, and thereby to all of said needles, mechanism to impart to all the pairs of thread carriers hositively and simultaneously said opening-and-closing lnoveinents thereof, mechanism to impart to said needle bar a horizontal reciprocation, and means to reciprocate said needles vertically.

'2. In a knitting machine, the combination with a pluralityT of pivotally-lnounted thread-carriers situated in. axial alinement and arranged in pairs and each provided at its lower end with a thread-guiding eye, the thread-carriers of each pair being adapted to have a shear-like opening-and-closing movement, of means connecting each threadcarrier of a pair to all of the corresponding tlnead-carriers of the other pairs, a plurality of knitting needles situated beneath the thread-carriers, a thread-roll carrying threads and delivering them to the threadcarriers, respectively. through the eyes thereof, a needle bar on which the needles are supported for vertical movement, means to reciprocate the needles vertically, lneans to impart to said needle har a. horizontal reciprocation, and mechanism to impart simultaneously and positively to all the thread-carriers said shear-like movements of oscillation in timed relation with the movements of the needles.

3. In a knitting machine, the combination with a plurality of thread-carriers situated in axial alinement and arranged in pairs side by side, each thread-carrier being pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends and having a thread-guiding eye at its lower end, the thread-carriers of each pair being adapted to have a shear-like movement, of means connecting together the upper ends of all the thread-carriers which project toward the front of the machine, means connecting together the upper end of all the thread-carriers Which project toward the rear, a plurality of knitting needles situated beneath the thread-carriers, a thread-roll carrying threads and delivering them to the eyes of the thread-carriers, a needle bar on which said needles are supported for vertical Inovement, means to reciprocate the needle bar horizontally, means to move the needles vertically, and means to impart simultaneously to all the tlnead-carriers said shear-like movements of oscillation.

4. In. a knitting machine, the combination of a main shaft; a pair of two obtuse-angled plates of metal placed side by side so that When their lower ends overlie one another the upper ends flare outwardly; a pivot on which said plates are loosely mounted; an eye in each plate at the bottom thereof; a needle for each member of said pair provided With a hook at its upper end and with a pivotally-mounted latch beneath said hook; a thread-supply deliverin a thread to cach of said members through tl-ie eye there-- of to a position where said hook is engage able therewith; mechanism operated by the shaft and adapted to lift the needles into proximity with t-he pair of thread-carriers and between them ivhen their lower ends are in an open position angularly; means operated by the shaft and adapted to lower said needles into engagement with the threads;` means operated by the shaft and adapted to move the needles periodically in a horizontal plane at right angles with said needle-lifting movelnent alternately right and left; and means operated by the shaft and adapted alternately and periodically to open and close the lower ends of" said thread-carriers.

5. In a knitting machine, the combination of a main shaft; a plurality ot pairs ot' thread-earl'iers, each of which pairs comprise tivo obtuse-angled plates o t metal placed side by side so that when their lower ends coincide in position the upper eud flare outwardly;y a pivot on which said plates are loosely mounted; a bar having its outer edge rounded and provided with a rib. which is secured in slots thereforIl in thel upper ends 0f these thread-carrier plates which project to the front, and a similar bar secured in slots therefor in the upper ends of those thread-carrier plates which project to the rear; an eye in each plate at the bottom thereof; a needle for each member of each pair of thread-carriers, provided with a hook at its upper end and with a pivotally-monnted latch beneath said hook; a thread-supply delivering a thread to wach of said members through an eye thereof to a position Where said hook is engageable therewith; mechanism operated by the shaft and adapted to lift the needles into proximity with the air of thread-carriers and between them vv en their lower ends are in an open position angular-ly; means operated by the shaft and adapted to lower the needles into engagement with the threads;

nsoowei! means operated by the'shnft andl :ideptedi to' move the needles periodically in a horizontal plane nt right angles with'snidineedlellifting movement alternately right amd leftand so to change the' position of the' needles horizontally in their relation-toth`e threedcer riers; and means operated by the'shuft and adapted alternately and peliodicall thopen :1nd close the' lower endsy ofl sui thread carriers;

6. In n knittingfmaehine, the combination of' :i main shaft; ai set of knitting needles; each having a needle-hub; a needle-bar; on which said needles` are mounted;1 ineens for imparting fromi theV main' shaft ai horizontal reeiproea'ti'on to'tlie nedlelbar'; aI needlel lifting ber, on which the'needle hullsnreser oure'dlin position; means for imparting from the main shaft e vertiol reeiprooavtion to the needle-lifting bar upon tlie needle liar; a tlned-supply; th1endeariie"s pivotally mounted' on" a: support above sidneedles adapted toeonduet thiefidS from the thread supgly to said needles; ineens from' the'mnin sha t for imparting a vibratori movement to the threadL'ciriels ;A nnd"stitch`tightening mechnnism operated from the main shaft' andl imparting movement to the stitchtightening devices' for the' purl'oseof drawing tight the tllred'sl immediately after the formation' of the stitches.

7. Inn4 knit'tin lindemne, the combination ofl :L main sha a* dani-Shaft 1ottnlily mountedl in bearingsa'nd fotutod'rlby means abtnt'ed by the main` shft; si cam on the cani' shaft; aV- shoe on the' c'in; a pnsli-r`od` extending' from the omnshoe; n pivotally mounted rocker-ahh',- pivotally Connected at itis` lhvvei end with the pnsliLrod; :i pulling rod, hnving bent endswvhieh a'r'e mounted oil a pivot rod, which rod at its right-hand end is loosely connected' WithY the upper end of the rocker-arm; two fixed" rods mounted heneth the bedLplnte of the meehfine` sind be' tween` WhiohV two lixled' Iods` seidV pullingJ rod is movable 'v take-lip" rollets' ndptedlto liold the kil-ieee een@ by' their friction there; with :t springt() give' Iletrn` movement to the' roel'elaiih after its' seidE rntliinef ctnli non; a; knningfmeehsnism (feminism me; dies;y devices tocilry thi-end from' se treadL sn'ljply to said ltiiittihg-Ineelinnisin'; means to operate the' knittin mechanism" sind threadfeed; and ai stite "-tighlenlng, device located; between the knittin meoh'anisrh andl said take-up rollers, thel knitted-fbt'io passing in from: of nie-need 'rentre amro the rear of the pulling" rodc and Between diefllbtion take-np'rolleis'.

s. rn ai knitting mienne, me communion of a imitin; shaft; offrent cnnsllzilifl;`a', dani on theoam-shaft; tw'o fixed'ods mounted inL stndaids ofi th'enltiehihej wpllingrd meeting netmeetingewof fise'efrods; eine operated b-y seid cam to draw the pulling rod inwardly between the two fixed rods; knitting mechanism operable by the main shnti; a threedLfeed operable' trom the mann shaft and* aldapted to conduct threads to the knitting mechanism; and a" take-np rolli on which the' finished fabric' is Wound; which pulling rod when movedE into nlinement withsa'id twoxedl rods' sea'pahle of taking upthe sllliek` of thtlired and tightening the stitehes immediately after they arelinit.

9. Ina` knittingmachine, the combination of knitting mechanism; a main shaft adn 4tedl to operate seidE meehnisni; a plurality of* needles; ai thread-simply fosaid' needles; a stitehltightlening! devine comprising' two prall'elfixedirodsoinfront of which theknit fbiepasses'; n pulling` rod? parallel to'said fixed rods behind@ which rod the knit' fabric names; meehnnism to take up the fabric when knit; and devices intermediate the mninshaft and pulling' rod and operated from` the main shaft and' adapted to move the pullin f nod between the liked rods` periodiclly r the purpose of' drawing tightly the thread loops upon the needles ns said loopsare leaving the needles; substantially as shown and described.

10. In" d knitlingnlnehlne; the combination of knitting nlehnnisl'nv comprising a` plurality of needles; a' main shat; means said* sh'nft to aetnte said mechanism and needles; 2i thiedisnpply for' said needles;-t`akeup rolls toreoeive'the fnbrie knit by sid needles frrilthe tilired-supply; two iixed'paialllrds; a reeiproentihg' rod mov able toand fionilSaidiiXed-rods'; n pivotzilly mounted roekei" arm; two bars pit'otally monnted on said rocker arm and supporting seid reeiproeating rod; ai clim; a Gain-shoe on said' canla rod filn thecl1m-shoe pivotally ni'ount'edfon lthe rocker amig-'and means toiotte'sa'id talle-nii nolls; car'n sindZ rocker arm infnhison'f, a'll' operating' substantially as Shown" and for the pnrpose specined.

rr. In e knitting machine, elle combina*- tion of knitting mechanism; ai pluiality of needles; melsadaited t'ilnfpa't a vertital reeipieating Inoeementl to snid needles;

meeneto impart al Horizontal rcipfoceting" movement tosaid needles; a-A th'edlsnp ly for said needles; al miii roller rotatngly mounted on sup rts andlha'ving saitltfhred Supply woundf t ereon ;1 a' felation roller ro'- tatabl" mounted upon said supports and loL cated etween seiilmein roller and Sein neer dies andahfiving earchl thr'end woiind once alolliildi sold"V fiction Iollei'g Ineens* for re tending the' Ieioluiioh of thje'fiiotion roller; and el main shiil't adpted to operate seid knitting' r'neola'nisini and sind* needles;

12.- I'n a knitting r'n-ehine, th'e' combina*- ti'on offknitting nleehnnisml; plurality of needles; means adapted tb impart reci 'roL oting kni-ltiiigll mvenientsto sfiidl need es; a rotatably mounted main roller having a thread-supply wound thereon for said needles, respectively; a rotatably mounted friction roller adapted to receive threads from the main roller and deliver the same to the needles, respectively, as drawn by said needles, said threads being wound once around the friction roller, respectively; and elastic means for retarding the rotation of the friction roller in timed relation with the operation of the needles; and a main shaft adapted to operate said knitting mechanism and needles.

13. In a knitting machine, the combination of knitting mechanism; a plurality of needles; means adapted to impart reciprocating knitting movements to said needles; a rotatably mounted main roller; a supply of threads wound on said roller for said needles and drawn by said needles in their knitting movements; a rotatably mounted friction roller having a circumferential channel and adapted to conduct thread from the main roller to the needles, respectively, around which friction roller each thread is onre wound; a friction strap passing over the friction roller in the channel thereof; needle-lifting devices adapted to give periodical, reciprocating, vertical movements to the needles; two springs connected to the two ends of the friction strap and fastened at their opposite ends to the needle-lifting devices; and a main shaft adapted to operate said needles and said knitting mechanism.

1l. In a knitting machine, the combination with a plurality of needles situated in a row, of means to reciprocate said needles in the direction of their length, means to move said row of needles bodily in a direction at right angles to the length of the needles, a thread supply for the needles, tensioning means for the thi'ead, and means to increase the tension on the thread as the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops and to release the tension thereof as the needles rise through the last-formed loops.

15. In a knitting machine, the combination of a main shaft; a needle-bar operated from the main shaft and adapted to a vertical reciprocating movement; needles suported by the needle-bar; a needle-lifting fiar engaging said needles and adapted to a vertical reciprocating movement and operated from the main shaft; means operated from the main shaft and adapted to impart a horizontal reciprocation to said needle-bar and needle-lifting bar; means for vsupplying threads to said needles; a rotatable camshaft; a cam on the cam-shaft; a push-rod operated by said cam and capable thereby of a vertical reciprocating movement; a series of pivotally mounted thread-carriers arranged in shear-like pairs and adapted to conduct said threads to the needles; and a lazy-tongs device connected with said pushrod and adapted to alternately open and close said thread-carriers.

16. In a knitting machine, the combination of knitting mechanism; a plurality of needles; means adapted to impart horizontal reciprocating movements to said needles; needle lifting means adapted to impart periodical, vertical reciprocating movements to the needles; a rotatably mounted main roller adapted to have wound thereon a thread supply for said needles; a revolubly mounted tension roller intermediate the main roller and the needles around which roller each thread is wound one turn; a friction. strap passing over the tension roller and connected to the needle lifting means and to the frame whereby said tension roller is alternately retarded and released when the machine is operated.

17. In a knitting machine the combination of knitting mechanism; a plurality of needles; means adapted to impart horizontal reciprocating movements to said needles; nLeans adapted to impart periodical vertical reciprocating movements to the needles; a rotatably mounted main thread roller adapted to have wound thereon a thread supply for said needles; a rotatably mounted tension roller intermediate the main thread roller and the needles around which roller each thread from said thread supply is wound one turn during its passage to the needles; a friction strap having elastic ends, passing over the tension roller, one of said ends being connected to the vertical reciprocating means, and the other end being connected to a stationary part of the machine whereby said friction strap is alternately tightened or released when the machine is operated.

18. In a knitting machine, the combination with a plurality of needles arranged in` a row, of means to reciprocate said needles in the direction of their length, means to reciprocate the row of needles bodily in a direction at right angles to the length of the needles, a thread supply for the needles, thread-tensioning means for the thread supply situated between said thread supply and needles, and means to cause said tensioning means to apply an increased tension to the thread as the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previousl T-formed loops and to release the tension as t e needles rise through the last-formed loops.

19. In a knitting machine, the combination with a plurality of needles arranged in a row, of means to reciprocate said needles in the direction of their length, means to reciprocate the row of needles bodily in a direction at right angles to the length of the needles, a thread supply for the needles, thread-tensioning means for the thread suprecaen ply situated between saidf thread supply and needles, means to cause said tensioning means to apply' an increasedV tfension tothe thread the needles are; drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops and to release the tension as the needles rise through the last-formed loops, andi means to render said machine inoperative 'upon the breaka e of a thread.

20. n a knitting"maclilnear plurality of needles suitably mounted; means to impart a horizontal reciprocating movement to said needles; means to impart to said needles a periodical vertical reciprocating movement; a thread supply for said needles; tensioning means for said thread supply between said thread supply and needles adapted to alternately retard or release said threads on their passage to the needles upon the operation of the vertically reciprocating means; take up mechanism; and means between said takeup mechanism and said needles adapted to draw tight the stitches formed by said needles upon their leaving the same; in combination with means to render said machine inoperative upon the breakage of a thread.

21. In a knitting machine a plurality of needles suitably mounted; means to impart a horizontal reciprocating movement to said needles; means to impart to said needles a periodical vertical reclprocating movement; a thread supply for said needles; tensioning means for said thread supply and means operated by the needle-reciprocating means to alternately retard and release the thread upon the operation of the machine.

22. In a knitting machine a plurality of needles suitably mounted; means to impart a horizontal reciprocating movement to said needles; means to im art to said needles a periodical vertical reclprocating movement; a thread supply for said needles; tensioning means for said thread supply, means operA ated by the needle-reciprocating means to alternately release and retard the thread during its passage to the needles upon the operation of the machine; and means to draw tight the stitches formed by said needles after the stitches are removed from the needles.

23. In a knitting machine a plurality of needles suitably mounted; means to impart a horizontal reciprocating movement to said needles; means to impart to said needles a periodical vertical reciprocating movement; a thread supply for sa1d needles; tensioning means for said thread sup ly whereby said thread supply is alternate y tensioned and released during its passage to the needles; means to draw tight the stitches formed by said needles after the stitches are removed from the needles; in combination with means to render said machine inoperative upon the breakage of a thread.

243. In a knitting machine a plurality of needles suitably' mounted; means to impart a horizontal reciprocating movement to said needles;I means to im art to said needles a periodical' vertical rec procating movement; a! thread supplyfor said needles g' tensioning means for said' thread supply; means acting through the yknit' fabric and operating to draw, tight the stitches formed by said needles after the stitches have leftv the needles.

25. In a knitting machine; the combination with knitting mechanism including reciprocating needles, of a thread tension device acting on the thread as it passes to the needles and provided with means to apply increased tension to the thread as the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops.

26. In a knitting machine, the combination with knitting mechanism including a lurality of needles and means for operating them, of a thread supply for said needles. and tensioning means for said thread supply between the latter and the needles adapted to alternately retard or release said threads on their passage to the needles and in timed relation to the movement thereof.

27. In a knitting machine, the combination with'knitting mechanism including a plurality of needles and means for operating them, of a thread tension device acting on the thread as it passes to the needles, and means to cause said tension device to apply a greater tension to the thread while the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops than during the return movement of the needles.

28. In a knitting machine, the combination with knitting mechanism including knitting needles and means to operate them, of a thread tension device acting on the thread passing to the needles and provided with means to a ply an increased tension to the thread while the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops, a take-up for the knit fabric, and means between said take-up and said needles to draw tight the stitches formed by said needles after the latter leave the stitches.

29. In a knitting machine, the combination with knitting mechanism including knitting needles and means to operate them, of a thread tension device acting on the thread passage to the needles and provided with means to apply an increased tension to the thread While the needles are drawing fresh loops through the previously-formed loops, and means acting on the knit fabric to apply increased tension thereto during the return movement of the needles.

30. In a knitting machine, the combination with knitting mechanism including knitting needles` and means to operate them, position to receive. thethread Again for fresh of e thread sup ly for the needles, and loops. 10 means acting on t e knit fabric and operat- 1n testimony whereof I affix my signature ing in timed relation to the movementof the in presence of two witnesses.

needle to apply increased tension to the JOHN VATERFIELD. fabric after the needles .have drawn the lastlitnessesz formed loops through the previously-formed BENJAMIN L. DENNIS,

loops and while the needlesl are moving into NnLLIE WA'LERFIELD.

Copies of this patent may be obtined for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

